Can someone summarise the difference a van’s GVW makes?

[-Pete-]

I’m looking at Transporters, Transit Customs, Vitos. Aside from the obvious (how much payload it’ll take) what difference does GVW make? For example 2600 vs 2800 vs 3000 etc of the same model, does it make any difference to driveability, insurance costs, tax, mpg? It doesn’t seem to affect the price much.

[twing]

-Pete- said:

I’m looking at Transporters, Transit Customs, Vitos. Aside from the obvious (how much payload it’ll take) what difference does GVW make? For example 2600 vs 2800 vs 3000 etc of the same model, does it make any difference to driveability, insurance costs, tax, mpg? It doesn’t seem to affect the price much.

Won't affect insurance or tax at all . MPG will be the same (unless, of course, you are filling it to max capacity). It will rarely affect the price unless you're looking at big stuff with low GVW

[-Pete-]

Thanks twing.

So why would anybody buy a 2600 or 2800 Transporter, when there's a 3000 available?

[twing]

My bad, I was talking about used which is what I sell. There is about £500 difference between each weight in a new Custom so I suppose that's enough to swing people to the lower, especially if a firm is buying large numbers.

[piecost76]

The larger GVW such as Transporter T32 will have stiffer springs to cope with the heavier load & bigger brakes too.

If you don't need the payload & run light most of the time then softer springs would give a better ride.

That increased spec will account for most of the cost difference.

Also, anything over 3,000 KG GVW will be a Class 7 MOT as opposed to a Class 4 "normal" MOT for 3,000 KG & under. Not as many MOT stations cover Class 7.